WIF - Randy Newman

WIF - Randy Newman

Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

MERRY: With "Harps and Angels" -- his first pop album in nine years -- Randy Newman can afford to horse around on the carousel, where he has fond memories from his youth spent on the Santa Monica Pier.

MERRY: With "Harps and Angels" -- his first pop album in nine years -- Randy Newman can afford to horse around on the carousel, where he has fond memories from his youth spent on the Santa Monica Pier. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

MERRY: With "Harps and Angels" -- his first pop album in nine years -- Randy Newman can afford to horse around on the carousel, where he has fond memories from his youth spent on the Santa Monica Pier.